JP5540428B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer.

In general, an ink jet printer (hereinafter also referred to as “printer”) is widely known as a recording apparatus that performs a recording process on a target. Further, in recent years, by using such a printer, a large number of unit images that are later cut out and used as labels are continuously printed on a long continuous paper (target), for example, on a wrap film of fresh food. A technique for printing a label to be worn in a small lot has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
The printer described in Patent Document 1 includes a platen that supports an area on a continuous sheet where a recording process is performed along a conveyance path along the length direction of the continuous sheet, and an upstream of the continuous sheet in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet. A transport roller unit disposed on the side and in the vicinity of the platen, and an auxiliary transport roller unit disposed on the downstream side of the platen in the transport direction of the continuous paper and in the vicinity of the platen. ing. The two conveying roller units are connected to each other via an endless belt, and are connected to each other on the basis of a driving force transmitted from the belt power transmission mechanism to the endless belt in a state where continuous paper is wound around each end position. It is designed to rotate in synchronization.

  The auxiliary transport roller unit is configured to have a smaller rotation diameter than the transport roller unit. Therefore, in this printer, when the continuous paper is transported for the recording process, the auxiliary transport roller unit is rotationally driven so as to have a slightly higher speed than the transport roller unit. As a result, tension is applied to the continuous paper supported on the platen.

JP 2007-313663 A

  By the way, in the printer described in Patent Document 1, tension is applied to the continuous paper from both the transport roller units by providing a speed difference between the rotational speeds of the both transport roller units. However, since this printer does not monitor the tension applied to the continuous paper from both transport roller units, it can be determined how much tension is actually applied to the continuous paper from both transport roller units. I couldn't figure it out. For this reason, in this printer, for example, there is a possibility that the continuous paper transported while being supported on the platen cannot be reliably stretched along the transport path due to differences in temperature conditions.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is a state in which a long target to be transported while being supported along the transport path is securely stretched along the transport path. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording apparatus that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention is configured to support a long target along a conveyance path along the length direction of the target, and to be supported by the support means. A recording unit that performs a recording process on the target; a first drive roller that winds the target at a position in the vicinity of the upstream end of the support unit on the transport path; and the support unit on the transport path. A second drive roller for winding the target at a position near the downstream end of the first drive means, a first drive means for driving the first drive roller by rotation amount control, and a second drive roller for driving the second drive roller by torque control. and a second driving means, the recording means, in between each rotation of the first driving roller is intermittently performed by said first driving means Perform serial recording process, the second drive means, for driving by the torque control through during the execution of the recording processing at the time of execution of the rotating operation.

  According to the above configuration, the first driving unit drives the first driving roller by the rotation amount control, thereby adjusting the transport amount of the target transported on the transport path, and the second drive unit performing the second drive. By driving the roller by torque control, the magnitude of tension applied to the target conveyed on the conveyance path is adjusted. Therefore, the long target that is transported while being supported along the transport path can be reliably stretched along the transport path.

Furthermore , tension is applied to the target from the second drive roller both during the transport of the target and during the recording process. For this reason, fluttering of the target is suppressed during the transport of the target, so that the target can be transported in a stable state. On the other hand, during the target recording process, the target transported while being supported by the support means is reliably transported. Therefore, a high-quality recording process can be performed on the target.

  In the recording apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the second driving unit performs the torque control with a first management torque value when the rotation operation is performed, and uses the first management torque value when the recording process is performed. The torque control is performed with a second management torque value that is also smaller.

  According to the above configuration, during the target recording process, tension is applied from the second drive roller to the target, so that the target supported by the support means can be reliably stretched along the transport path. it can. On the other hand, when the target is transported, the tension acting on the target from the second drive roller becomes relatively large, so that the fluttering of the target is more reliably suppressed, and the target transported while being supported by the support means is more reliably secured. It can be in a state of being stretched along the transport path.

  Further, the recording apparatus of the present invention further includes an adsorption unit that adsorbs the target to the support unit, and the adsorption unit adsorbs the target with a first adsorption force when the rotation operation is performed, When the recording process is executed, the target is adsorbed with a second adsorbing force larger than the first adsorbing force.

  According to the above configuration, during the target recording process, the target is adsorbed to the support unit by the adsorbing unit, so that the transport of the target supported by the support unit can be reliably stopped. On the other hand, since the suction force acting on the target from the suction means becomes relatively small when the target is transported, the tension acts more reliably on the target from the second drive roller. The target transported while being supported by the means can be more reliably stretched along the transport path.

1 is a schematic front view of a printer according to an embodiment. Sectional drawing of the platen of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control configuration of the printer according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing routine related to printing processing and conveyance processing.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the recording apparatus of the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, when referring to “up and down direction” and “left and right direction”, the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 is used as a reference. In addition, the “front-rear direction” refers to a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 11 as a recording apparatus according to the present embodiment sequentially prints on a continuous paper 12 fed out from a long continuous paper 12 as a target, and the continuous paper 12 fed out from the feeding part 13. And a winding unit 15 that winds the continuous paper 12 that has been printed (recorded) by the main body unit 14. The main body 14 includes a rectangular parallelepiped main body case 16. A feeding unit 13 is disposed on the left side of the main body case 16 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper 12. A winding unit 15 is disposed on the right side of the main body case 16 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper 12.

  The feeding portion 13 includes a support plate 17 that extends leftward from the lower end portion of the left surface of the main body case 16. A winding shaft 18 extending toward the front (the front side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 1) is supported at the left end portion of the support plate 17 so as to be rotatable with respect to the support plate 17. Further, the continuous paper 12 previously wound in a roll shape is supported on the winding shaft 18 so as to be rotatable integrally with the winding shaft 18.

  Further, the feeding portion 13 includes a flat plate-like feeding stand 19 that extends horizontally from the center of the left surface of the main body case 16 toward the left. A relay roller 20 for rotating the continuous paper 12 fed from the winding shaft 18 and guiding it to the upper surface of the feeding table 19 is rotatably provided at the leading end of the feeding table 19. Then, the continuous paper 12 is conveyed toward the right side (main body part 14 side) along the upper surface of the feeding table 19.

  A flat plate-like base 21 that divides the inside of the main body case 16 vertically is provided at a position slightly above the central portion in the vertical direction in the main body case 16 of the main body portion 14. An area above the base 21 in the main body case 16 is a printing chamber 22 for printing on the continuous paper 12.

  On the left wall of the main body case 16, an unillustrated entrance for carrying the continuous paper 12 into the main body case 16 from the upper surface of the feeding table 19 is provided. And the relay roller 23 is rotatably provided in the main-body part 14 so that the said entrance may be opposed in the vicinity position.

  A relay roller 24 is rotatably provided in the main body case 16 at an obliquely lower right side of the relay roller 23. Then, after the continuous paper 12 is carried into the main body case 16, the continuous paper 12 is wound around the relay roller 24 from the upper left side and conveyed toward the position near the left end of the printing chamber 22.

  A first transport roller pair 25 that sandwiches the continuous paper 12 and applies transport force is provided at a position near the left end of the printing chamber 22. The first transport roller pair 25 is connected to a first drive roller 25a connected to a first transport motor (see FIG. 3) so as to be able to transmit power, and the continuous paper 12 is sandwiched between the first drive roller 25a. It is comprised by the 1st driven roller 25b arrange | positioned so that it may oppose. Then, the continuous paper 12 wound around the first drive roller 25a from the lower left is conveyed horizontally in the printing chamber 22 from the first conveyance roller pair 25 in the right direction as the first drive roller 25a is driven to rotate. It has come to be. A platen 28 is provided in a region on the right side of the first transport roller pair 25 in the printing chamber 22. That is, the first transport roller pair 25 is provided in the vicinity of the upstream end of the platen 28.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the platen 28 is provided in a state where a support base 28 a having a substantially box shape with a bottom having an open top surface is supported by the base 21. Then, above the support base 28a, a short plate-like mounting plate 28b is brought into contact with the continuous paper 12 so as to close the opening on the upper side of the support base 28a. Is provided.

  A large number of through holes A (only five are shown in FIG. 1) are formed in the mounting plate 28b so as to penetrate the mounting plate 28b in the vertical direction (the thickness direction of the mounting plate 28b). Further, an exhaust port B is formed in the left side wall portion of the support base 28a, and a suction fan 29 as a suction means is connected through the exhaust port B. When the suction fan 29 is rotationally driven in accordance with the rotational drive of the suction fan motor (see FIG. 3), the air in the space enclosed between the support base 28a and the mounting plate 28b is The air is exhausted outside through the suction fan 29. That is, the space surrounded between the support base 28 a and the mounting plate 28 b is a negative pressure chamber 31 that generates a negative pressure based on the driving of the suction fan 29.

  Further, when a negative pressure is generated in the negative pressure chamber 31 as the suction fan 29 is driven, the negative pressure similarly acts in the through hole A of the mounting plate 28 b communicating with the negative pressure chamber 31. . Therefore, the through hole A of the mounting plate 28b functions as a suction hole that applies an adsorption force to the continuous paper 12 conveyed on the support surface PL of the platen 28. The negative pressure chamber 31 is provided with a pressure detection sensor 32 that detects a pressure change in the negative pressure chamber 31 due to the rotational drive of the suction fan 29.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a second conveyance roller pair 33 that sandwiches the continuous paper 12 and applies a conveyance force is provided in a region on the right side of the platen 28 in the printing chamber 22. That is, the second transport roller pair 33 is provided in the vicinity of the downstream end of the platen 28. The second transport roller pair 33 includes a second drive roller 33a connected to a second transport motor (see FIG. 3) 34 so that power can be transmitted, and the continuous paper 12 sandwiched between the second drive roller 33a. It is comprised by the 2nd driven roller 33b arrange | positioned so that it may oppose.

  The continuous paper 12 conveyed in the horizontal right direction on the support surface PL of the platen 28 from the first conveying roller pair 25 is wound around the second driving roller 33a from the upper left side. The transport direction of the continuous paper 12 is changed from the horizontal right direction to the vertical downward direction. Further, the continuous paper 12 is conveyed vertically downward through an insertion hole (not shown) provided in the base 21 after the conveyance direction is changed vertically downward by the second drive roller 33a. The upper surface of the second drive roller 33a is flush with the upper surface of the first drive roller 25a and the support surface PL of the platen 28. In addition, the second driven roller 33 b is configured to abut only on the edge portion in the width direction (front-rear direction) on the printing surface of the continuous paper 12.

  Guide rails 35 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) extending in the left-right direction are provided on both the front and rear sides of the platen 28 in the printing chamber 22 so as to form a pair. Note that the upper surface of the guide rail 35 is higher than the support surface PL of the platen 28. A short plate-like carriage 35 a is supported on the upper surfaces of both guide rails 35 so as to be capable of reciprocating in the left-right direction along both guide rails 35.

  A recording head 36 as recording means is supported on the lower surface of the carriage 35a. A large number of ink discharge nozzles (not shown) are arranged in the front-rear direction on the lower surface of the recording head 36. A valve unit 37 for temporarily storing ink is provided on the upper wall of the main body case 16 in the printing chamber 22. The valve unit 37 is connected to the recording head 36 via an ink supply tube (not shown). The recording head 36 performs printing by ejecting the ink supplied from the valve unit 37 toward the surface of the continuous paper 12 that has been transported from the ink discharge nozzle onto the platen 28 and stopped. It has become.

  Therefore, an area from the left end to the right end of the platen 28 in the middle of the conveyance path of the continuous paper 12 is a printing area R in which printing is performed on the continuous paper 12 by ink ejection from the ink discharge nozzles. Yes. The continuous paper 12 is intermittently transported along the transport path in units of areas corresponding to the print areas R.

  The continuous paper 12 wound around the second drive roller 33a and conveyed vertically downward is a reversing roller rotatably disposed at a position below the second drive roller 33a in the main body case 16. 38 is wound from above the left side and conveyed slightly diagonally upward to the right. Then, the continuous paper 12 conveyed from the reversing roller 38 is wound around the relay roller 39 provided to be rotated to the right of the reversing roller 38 in the main body case 16 from the lower left side, and the main body case 16 is passed through the main body case 16. It is conveyed upward along the right wall of 16. The continuous paper 12 that has been printed in the printing region R is naturally dried in the process of being conveyed through the main body case 16.

  In addition, an unillustrated unloading port for unloading the continuous paper 12 toward the take-up unit 15 is provided at a position near the base 21 on the right wall of the main body case 16. Further, a delivery roller 40 is rotatably provided at a position facing the carry-out port in the vicinity of the carry-out port in the main body case 16. The feed roller 40 feeds the continuous paper 12 to the take-up portion 15 side through the carry-in port.

  The winding unit 15 includes a rectangular parallelepiped winding frame 41. A relay roller 42 is rotatably provided at the upper end of the winding frame 41. Then, the continuous paper 12 sent out from the carry-in port is wound around the relay roller 42 from the upper left side and is conveyed obliquely downward to the right.

  A winding drive shaft 43 extending toward the front is supported on the winding frame 41 so as to be rotatable with respect to the winding frame 41. The continuous paper 12 conveyed from the relay roller 42 toward the lower right is wound around the winding drive shaft 43. The continuous paper 12 is wound up sequentially as the winding drive shaft 43 rotates.

Next, a control configuration in the printer 11 of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 11 is provided with a controller 44 that controls the driving state of the entire apparatus. The controller 44 includes a CPU 45, a ROM 46, and a RAM 47 serving as a central processing unit. The ROM 46 stores a processing routine program and the like related to the printing process and the conveyance process shown in the flowchart of FIG. The RAM 47 temporarily stores the calculation result of the CPU 45 or temporarily stores print data input from the external input device 48.

  The controller 44 is connected to the recording head 36 via a head driver 49. The controller 44 reads out the print data input from the external input device 48 from the RAM 47 and transmits the read print data to the head driver 49. The head driver 49 ejects ink droplets from the ink ejection nozzles of the recording head 36 based on the print data received from the controller 44.

  The controller 44 controls driving of the first transport motor 26 via the first transport motor driver 50. Then, the first drive roller 25a moves the continuous paper 12 downstream in the transport direction until the predetermined transport amount based on the rotation amount of the first transport motor 26 is reached as the first transport motor 26 rotates. It is designed to be transported towards.

  The controller 44 is connected to a rotation amount detection sensor 51 that detects the rotation amount of the first transport motor 26. Then, the controller 44 feedback-controls the rotation amount of the first transport motor 26 via the first transport motor driver 50 based on the detection result of the rotation amount of the first transport motor 26 received from the rotation amount detection sensor 51. It has become. That is, the first transport motor 26 functions as a first drive unit that drives the first drive roller 25a by controlling the rotation amount. In the present embodiment, a rotary potentiometer that detects the rotation angle of the first transport motor 26 is used as the rotation amount detection sensor 51.

  Further, the controller 44 drives and controls the second transport motor 34 via the second transport motor driver 52. The second drive roller 33 a is configured to apply a predetermined tension based on the torque of the second transport motor 34 to the continuous paper 12 as the second transport motor 34 rotates.

  The controller 44 is connected to a torque detection sensor 53 that detects the torque of the second transport motor 34. The controller 44 feedback-controls the torque of the second transport motor 34 via the second transport motor driver 52 based on the torque detection result of the second transport motor 34 received from the torque detection sensor 53. Yes. That is, the second transport motor 34 functions as a second drive unit that drives the second drive roller 33a by torque control.

  In general, since a motor has a substantially proportional relationship between torque and current, the magnitude of the current is determined according to the load of the motor if the rotation speed of the motor is constant. That is, the magnitude of the current required for driving the motor is determined according to the load applied to the roller. Therefore, the magnitude of the load applied to the motor can be detected by detecting the magnitude of the current flowing through the motor. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a current sensor that detects the magnitude of the current flowing through the second transport motor 34 is used as the torque detection sensor 53.

  Further, the controller 44 drives and controls the suction fan motor 30 via the suction fan motor driver 54. As the suction fan motor 30 rotates, the suction fan 29 depressurizes the negative pressure chamber 31 with a predetermined suction force based on the rotation speed of the suction fan motor 30. As a result, the negative pressure in the negative pressure chamber 31 acts on the continuous paper 12 as an adsorption force with respect to the support surface PL of the platen 28 through the through hole A of the mounting plate 28b.

  Next, conveyance control and printing control in the printer 11 configured as described above will be described. The controller 44 performs conveyance control and printing control in the printer 11 by reading out and executing a program of processing routines related to the conveyance processing and printing processing from the ROM 46. In this embodiment, print data for the continuous paper 12 by the recording head 36 is input in advance from the external input device 48 to the RAM 47 before the controller 44 executes the processing routine program relating to the conveyance process and the print process. It shall be.

  As shown in FIG. 4, first, in step S10, the controller 44 sets the suction force in the negative pressure chamber 31 by the suction fan 29 to F1 by setting the rotation speed of the suction fan motor 30.

  Next, in step S <b> 11, the controller 44 transmits a control command signal to the suction fan motor driver 54. Then, the suction fan 29 starts to rotate with the rotation of the suction fan motor 30, thereby generating a negative pressure in the negative pressure chamber 31. As a result, an attracting force acts on the continuous paper 12 on the support surface PL of the platen 28 from the inside of the negative pressure chamber 31 through the through hole A of the mounting plate 28b. In this case, the continuous paper 12 is sucked onto the support surface PL of the platen 28 with a second suction force that is substantially equal to the suction force F1 of the suction fan 29.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 12, the controller 44 sucks the pressure in the negative pressure chamber 31 as the suction fan 29 is driven based on the detection signal from the pressure detection sensor 32 provided in the negative pressure chamber 31. It is determined whether or not the pressure has been reduced to a pressure value substantially equal to the suction force F1 of the fan 29.

  If the determination result in step S12 is affirmative (pressure in the negative pressure chamber 31 = F1), the controller 44 reduces the pressure by the suction fan 29 until the pressure in the negative pressure chamber 31 reaches a desired pressure value. It is determined that the process has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S13.

  On the other hand, when the determination result in step S <b> 12 is negative (pressure in the negative pressure chamber 31 ≠ F <b> 1), the controller 44 determines that the pressure reduction in the negative pressure chamber 31 by the suction fan 29 is not completed. Then, the controller 44 continues the pressure reduction in the negative pressure chamber 31 by the suction fan 29 so that the pressure in the negative pressure chamber 31 is reduced to a desired pressure value.

  In step S13, the controller 44 sets the rotation amount of the first conveyance motor 26 to X, thereby setting the conveyance amount of the continuous paper 12 by the first drive roller 25a. The rotation amount X of the first transport motor 26 is such that the transport amount of the continuous paper 12 by the first drive roller 25a when the first drive roller 25a is rotationally driven in accordance with the rotation drive of the first transport motor 26. The distance from the left end to the right end of the platen 28 is set to correspond to the printing region R.

  Subsequently, in step S14, the controller 44 sets the magnitude of the tension applied to the continuous paper 12 from the second drive roller 33a by setting the management torque value of the second transport motor 34 to T1. The management torque value T1 of the second transport motor 34 is such that the magnitude of the tension that the second driving roller 33a acts on the continuous paper 12 on the platen 28 based on the torque of the second transport motor 34 is continuous during transport. The size is set so as to sufficiently suppress the flapping of the paper 12.

  Next, in step S <b> 15, the controller 44 transmits a control command signal to the first transport motor driver 50 and the second transport motor driver 52. Then, the first driving roller 25a starts to rotate with the rotation of the first conveying motor 26, so that the first driving roller 25a conveys the continuous paper 12. At the same time, the second drive roller 33a starts to rotate with the rotation of the second transport motor 34, so that the second drive roller 33a applies tension to the continuous paper 12.

  Even if the continuous paper 12 is pulled from the support surface PL of the platen 28 to the downstream side in the transport direction by the second drive roller 33a, the continuous paper 12 is sequentially wound by the winding drive shaft 43. For this reason, the continuous paper 12 hardly bends at a position downstream of the second drive roller 33a in the transport direction, so that the continuous paper 12 is transported in a stable state along the transport path by the first drive roller 25a. ing.

  When the continuous paper 12 is transported, the controller 44 monitors the rotation amount of the first drive roller 25 a as needed based on the detection signal from the rotation amount detection sensor 51, and based on the detection signal from the torque detection sensor 53. The magnitude of the tension acting on the continuous paper 12 from the second drive roller 33a is monitored as needed, and further, in the negative pressure chamber 31 accompanying the rotational drive of the suction fan 29 based on the detection signal from the pressure detection sensor 32. Changes in pressure are monitored at any time. And the controller 44 is based on the control signal which the drive state (rotation amount, tension | tensile_strength, suction | attraction force) of the 1st drive roller 25a, the 2nd drive roller 33a, and the suction fan 29 is transmitted from each driver 50, 52, 54. When a deviation occurs with respect to the driving conditions specified in the above, error notification is performed. That is, the controller 44 monitors from time to time whether the first drive roller 25a, the second drive roller 33a, and the suction fan 29 are operating normally based on control signals transmitted from the drivers 50, 52, and 54. Therefore, the reliability of the operation of the apparatus can be improved.

  Further, the rotation speed of the second drive roller 33a is set to be higher than the rotation speed of the first drive roller 25a. Therefore, the second drive roller 33a improves the flatness of the continuous paper 12 on the platen 28 by applying tension to the continuous paper 12 in the middle of conveyance.

  Further, the suction force of the suction fan 29 is such that the continuous paper 12 does not stick firmly to the support surface PL of the platen 28 so as not to hinder the conveyance of the continuous paper 12 by the first drive roller 25a. Is set to the size of Therefore, since the tension acts on the continuous paper 12 on the support surface PL of the platen 28 from the second driving roller 33a with certainty, the second driving roller 33a determines the magnitude of the tension that acts on the continuous paper 12. It is possible to adjust with high accuracy. Further, since the attractive force acting on the continuous paper 12 from the support surface PL of the platen 28 becomes low, the driving loads of the first transport motor 26 and the second transport motor 34 when the continuous paper 12 is transported may be excessive. It is to be avoided.

  Incidentally, in this embodiment, the suction force F1 of the suction fan 29 and the management torque value T1 of the second transport motor 34 can be arbitrarily changed based on data input from the external input device 48 to the controller 44. It is possible. Therefore, by setting the suction force F1 of the suction fan 29 to be smaller, it is possible to set the management torque value T1 of the second transport motor 34 to be smaller within a range in which flapping of the continuous paper 12 can be suppressed during transport. It has become. And since the driving load of the 2nd conveyance motor 34 is reduced by setting management torque value T1 of the 2nd conveyance motor 34 smaller, while preventing the 2nd conveyance motor 34 from being in an overheating state, It is possible to save energy of the entire apparatus.

  Next, in step S16, the controller 44 determines whether or not the rotation amount of the first transport motor 26 has reached the rotation amount X set in step S13 based on the detection signal from the rotation amount detection sensor 51. judge.

  Then, if the determination result in step S16 is affirmative (rotation amount of the first transport motor 26 = X), the controller 44 sets the first drive roller 25a until the transport amount of the continuous paper 12 reaches a desired transport amount. Is determined to have been completed, and the process proceeds to step S17.

  On the other hand, the controller 44 determines that the conveyance of the continuous paper 12 by the first drive roller 25a is not completed when the determination result in step S16 is a negative determination (the rotation amount of the first conveyance motor 26 ≠ X). . And the controller 44 continues conveyance of the continuous paper 12 by the 1st drive roller 25a until the conveyance amount of the continuous paper 12 by the 1st drive roller 25a becomes a desired conveyance amount.

  Subsequently, in step S17, the controller 44 sets the rotational speed of the suction fan motor 30 to change the suction force for suctioning the negative pressure chamber 31 by the suction fan 29 to F2. Note that the suction force F2 of the suction fan 29 is set to be larger than the suction force F1 of the suction fan 29 set in step S10. The continuous paper 12 is sucked onto the support surface PL of the platen 28 with a first suction force substantially equal to the suction force F2 of the suction fan 29. That is, the suction fan 29 adsorbs the continuous paper 12 to the support surface PL of the platen 28 with a first adsorbing force when the printing process is executed, and has a second adsorbing force smaller than the first adsorbing when the carrying process is executed. The continuous paper 12 is attracted to the support surface PL of the platen 28.

  Next, in step S <b> 18, the controller 44 transmits a control command signal to the suction fan motor driver 54. Then, by changing the rotation speed of the suction fan motor 30, the negative pressure generated in the negative pressure chamber 31 changes as the suction fan 29 is driven. As a result, the continuous paper 12 on the support surface PL of the platen 28 is attracted onto the support surface PL of the platen 28 with an adsorption force substantially equal to the suction force F2 of the suction fan 29. In this case, the continuous paper 12 in a state where the conveyance is stopped is subjected to a relatively large adsorption force on the support surface PL of the platen 28, so that the continuous paper 12 is displaced on the support surface PL of the platen 28. Almost never.

  Subsequently, in step S19, the controller 44 changes the magnitude of the tension applied to the continuous paper 12 from the second drive roller 33a by setting the management torque value of the second transport motor 34 to T2. The management torque value T2 of the second transport motor 34 is set to be smaller than the management torque value T1 of the second transport motor 34 set in step S13.

  Next, in step S <b> 20, the controller 44 transmits a control command signal to the second transport motor driver 52. Then, the magnitude of the torque transmitted from the second transport motor 34 to the second drive roller 33a is changed, whereby the magnitude of the tension that the second drive roller 33a acts on the continuous paper 12 changes. In this case, a relatively small tension is applied to the continuous paper 12 from the second drive roller 33a on the continuous paper 12 in a state where the conveyance is stopped. Therefore, the driving load of the second transport motor 34 that rotationally drives the second drive roller 33a is reduced, and energy saving of the entire apparatus is achieved.

  In this embodiment, the controller 44 increases the magnitude of the suction force of the suction fan 29 to F2 in step S17, and then decreases the management torque value of the second transport motor 34 to T2 in step S19. That is, since the suction force of the suction fan 29 is increased in a state where the tension applied to the continuous paper 12 from the second drive roller 33a is relatively large, the continuous paper 12 can maintain the platen while maintaining high flatness. Adsorbed on the 28 support surfaces PL. Therefore, even if the magnitude of the tension acting on the continuous paper 12 from the second drive roller 33a is reduced, the continuous paper 12 is firmly adsorbed on the support surface PL of the platen 28. There is almost no displacement on the support surface PL of the platen 28.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 21, the controller 44 reads print data for the continuous paper 12 from the RAM 47 and transmits the read print data to the head driver 49. Then, the head driver 49 starts a printing operation on the continuous paper 12 by ejecting ink from the ink discharge nozzles of the recording head 36 onto the continuous paper 12 supported on the support surface PL of the platen 28. That is, the recording head 36 is configured to execute a printing process on the continuous paper 12 between each rotation operation of the first drive roller 25a intermittently performed by the first transport motor driver 50.

  Next, in step S22, the controller 44 determines whether or not the printing operation for the continuous paper 12 by the recording head 36 has been completed. If the controller 44 determines in step S22 that the printing operation for the continuous paper 12 by the recording head 36 has been completed, the controller 44 proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, when the controller 44 determines in step S22 that the printing operation on the continuous paper 12 by the recording head 36 is not completed, the controller 44 continues the printing operation on the continuous paper 12 by the recording head 36.

  During the printing operation, the second drive roller 33a continuously applies tension to the continuous paper 12. That is, the second transport motor driver 52 drives the second drive roller 33a by torque control during the rotation of the first transport motor 26 and during the printing process for the continuous paper 12 by the recording head 36. It is like that. Although the first driving roller 25a is in a state in which the rotation operation is stopped, the first driving roller 25a is continuously in a state in which the continuous paper 12 pulled from the support surface PL of the platen 28 to the downstream side in the transport direction is supported by the second driving roller 33a. A tension is applied to the paper 12. Therefore, during the printing operation, tension is applied from both the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the continuous paper 12 to the continuous paper 12 on the support surface PL of the platen 28 from the first driving roller 25a and the second driving roller 33a. It is supposed to be. Therefore, the recording head 36 can perform a high-quality printing process on the continuous paper 12 in a state where the flatness is maintained.

  Subsequently, in step S23, the controller 44 determines whether or not to continue the printing process for the continuous paper 12. If the controller 44 determines in step S23 that the printing process for the continuous paper 12 is to be continued, the controller 44 proceeds to step S10 and recursively executes the processes from step S10 to step S22. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S23 that the printing process for the continuous paper 12 is not continued, the controller 44 ends the processing routine program relating to the conveyance process and the printing process for the continuous paper 12.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the above embodiment, the second conveyance motor 34 drives the second drive roller 33a by torque control, so that the magnitude of tension applied to the continuous paper 12 from the second drive roller 33a is adjusted. Therefore, the continuous paper 12 conveyed while being supported by the platen 28 can be reliably stretched along the conveyance path.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the second drive roller 33a disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction from the platen 28 is directed from the upstream side in the transport direction toward the downstream side with respect to the continuous paper 12 supported by the platen 28. By applying the tension, the continuous paper 12 conveyed while being supported by the platen 28 is stretched along the conveyance path. That is, unlike the case where the first drive roller 25a positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction from the platen 28 applies tension to the continuous paper 12 supported by the platen 28, the continuous paper 12 is moved downstream in the transport direction. There is no reverse transport from the side toward the upstream side. Accordingly, no error is caused in the transport amount of the continuous paper 12 due to the reverse transport of the continuous paper 12, so that the transport amount of the continuous paper 12 can be precisely adjusted.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, tension is applied to the continuous paper 12 from the second drive roller 33a both when the continuous paper 12 is transported and when the transport is stopped. Therefore, fluttering of the continuous paper 12 is suppressed when the continuous paper 12 is transported, so that the continuous paper 12 can be transported in a stable state, while being transported while being supported by the platen 28 when transporting the continuous paper 12 is stopped. The continuous paper 12 to be stretched can be reliably stretched along the transport path.

  (4) In the above embodiment, when the conveyance of the continuous paper 12 is stopped, tension is applied to the continuous paper 12 from the second drive roller 33a, so that the continuous paper 12 supported by the platen 28 is surely along the conveyance path. Can be stretched. On the other hand, when the continuous paper 12 is transported, the tension acting on the continuous paper 12 from the second drive roller 33a becomes relatively large, so that the flapping of the continuous paper 12 is more reliably suppressed and supported by the platen 28. The continuous paper 12 to be conveyed can be more securely stretched along the conveyance path.

  (5) In the above embodiment, when the conveyance of the continuous paper 12 is stopped, the continuous paper 12 is attracted to the platen 28 as the suction fan 29 is driven, so that the continuous paper 12 supported by the platen 28 is conveyed. It can be set as the state stopped reliably. On the other hand, when the continuous paper 12 is transported, the suction force acting on the continuous paper 12 is relatively reduced as the suction fan 29 is driven. As a result, the continuous paper 12 transported while being supported by the platen 28 can be more reliably stretched along the transport path.

  (6) In the above embodiment, since the continuous paper 12 is stretched along the conveyance path on the platen 28, the recording head 36 has a higher quality than the continuous paper 12 supported on the platen 28. The recording process can be performed.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above-described embodiment, as an adsorbing unit that adsorbs the continuous paper 12 to the support surface PL of the platen 28, an electrostatic adsorption device that electrostatically adsorbs the continuous paper 12 to the support surface PL of the platen 28 is employed. Also good. In this case, the electrostatic adsorption device causes the continuous paper 12 to be electrostatically adsorbed to the support surface PL of the platen 28 by the first electrostatic adsorption force when the continuous paper 12 is printed, and during the conveyance processing of the continuous paper 12. It is desirable that the continuous paper 12 be electrostatically attracted to the support surface PL of the platen 28 with a second electrostatic attraction force smaller than the first electrostatic attraction force.

  In the above-described embodiment, a list data of the management torque values T1 and T2 of the second transport motor 34 corresponding to each material of the continuous paper 12 may be stored in the ROM 46 in advance. In this case, the controller 44 reads out the management torque values T1 and T2 of the second transport motor 34 from the ROM 46 according to the material of the continuous paper 12 to be subjected to each process during the transport processing and printing processing of the continuous paper 12. The torque of the second drive roller 33a is controlled by the management torque values T1 and T2 of the second transport motor 34. In this case, for example, when the continuous paper 12 has a property with a very large swelling ratio when absorbing the ink ejected from the recording head 36 during the printing process, the second transport motor during the transport process is used. The management torque value T2 of the second transport motor 34 during the printing process may be set to be larger than the management torque value T1 of 34.

  In the embodiment described above, an atmosphere release valve that opens the negative pressure chamber 31 to the atmosphere may be provided. In this case, the suction force in the negative pressure chamber 31 by the suction fan 29 is reduced, and at the same time, the degree of decompression in the negative pressure chamber 31 is rapidly reduced by opening the negative pressure chamber 31 to the atmosphere by the atmospheric release valve. It becomes possible.

  In the above embodiment, a flow rate detection sensor for detecting the flow rate of air exhausted from the negative pressure chamber 31 by the suction fan 29 is provided without providing a pressure detection sensor for detecting a pressure change in the negative pressure chamber 31. Also good. In this case, the controller 44 receives a detection signal from the flow rate detection sensor indicating that the flow rate of the air exhausted from the negative pressure chamber 31 by the suction fan 29 has fallen below a predetermined threshold value. It can be determined that the pressure reduction in the pressure chamber 31 has been completed.

  In the embodiment described above, when the printer 11 is in operation, the continuous paper 12 is continuously driven by continuously rotating the first drive roller 25a without setting the rotation amount X of the first transport motor 26. It is good also as a structure to convey.

In the above embodiment, a long plastic film or the like may be used as the target.
In the above-described embodiment, the recording apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other liquids (such as liquids or gels in which functional material particles are dispersed or mixed in liquids). It can also be embodied in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or ejects (including a fluid). For example, a liquid that ejects a liquid (liquid material) that is dispersed or dissolved in a material such as an electrode material or a color material (pixel material) used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, and a surface emitting display. The liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette and serves as a sample. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, and a liquid ejecting that ejects a liquid (fluid) such as a gel (eg, physical gel) It may be a device. The present invention can be applied to any one of these liquid ejecting apparatuses.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer as recording apparatus, 12 ... Continuous paper as target, 25a ... 1st drive roller, 26 ... 1st conveyance motor as 1st drive means, 28 ... Platen as support means, 29 ... As adsorption means Suction fan, 33a, second driving roller, 34, second transport motor as second driving means, 36, recording head as recording means.

Claims (3)

A support means for supporting the long target along the transport path along the length direction of the target;
Recording means for performing a recording process on the target in a state of being supported by the support means;
A first drive roller for winding the target at a position in the vicinity of the upstream end of the support means on the transport path;
A second drive roller for winding the target at a position near the downstream end of the support means on the transport path;
First driving means for driving the first driving roller by rotation amount control;
Second driving means for driving the second driving roller by torque control ,
The recording unit performs the recording process between each rotation operation of the first driving roller intermittently performed by the first driving unit,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second driving unit performs driving by the torque control during execution of the rotation operation and execution of the recording process . The recording apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The second driving means performs the torque control with a first management torque value when the rotation operation is executed, and sets the second management torque value smaller than the first management torque value when the recording process is executed. And performing the torque control. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
Further comprising an adsorption means for adsorbing the target to the support means;
The adsorbing means adsorbs the target with a first adsorbing force when the rotation operation is executed, and adsorbs the target with a second adsorbing force larger than the first adsorbing force when the recording process is executed. A recording apparatus.

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